Terminal clamp for battery posts



April 1, 1941. v. ELFERT TERMINAL CLAMP FOR BATTER'r POSTS Filed May 2, 1938 In ventor A orneys Patented Apr. 1, 1941 UNITED STATES PlffTl-NT'OFFICE TERMINAL CLAMP FOB BATTERY POSTS Vertus Elfert, Madison, S. Dak.

Application May 2, 1938, Serial N0. 205,593

1 Claim.

This invention relates to terminal clamps for a battery post and has for one of its objects to provide a construction which may be securely fastened to the post and one which may be easily released therefrom.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is designed to give .perfect contact at all times between the conductor terminals and the battery.

A still further object of the invention is to provide n-ovel and unique means for eliminating corrosion around the terminal clamp and battery post.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a terminal clamp of this character having continuous lubricant retaining pockets opening inwardly in the clam-p for contact of the lubricant with the battery post.

Another object of lthe invention is yto provid-e a terminal clamp having means for closing the top of the clamp Ito define a closure for retaining the grease or other lubricant'in and around the battery post and other parts of the connection.

A still further object of lthe invention is to provide a device of this character which is characterized by its simplicity, durability, and inexpensiveness to manufacture.

Other objects -and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

With the foregoing in View the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, the description being supplemented by the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the same.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and

Figure 5 is -a vertical sectional view showing a slightly modied form of my invention.

In the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 6 designates a battery terminal clamp made Iof brass or other suitable material. 'This clamp is circular shaped in form and the bore of the clamp is tapered or substantially frusto-c-onical to conform to the shape 'of 7 the battery post 1. The clamp 6 1s provided with internal continuous grooves 8 and 9 which are disposed at the top and bottom respectively to provide pockets for a corrosion resisting substance, such as grease, cosmoline, or the like.

'Ihe numeral III designates a current conductor cable, one end of which is suitably secured to the cable clamp 6 by soldering the conductor cable thereon as designated by the numeral I I. By this arrangement the conductor cable serves as a closure for the upper end of the battery clamp, as designated by the numeral I2. By closing the upper end of the clamp the grease or other lubricant from the pockets 8 and 9 is retained around the top of the battery post and other parts of the connection. Moreover by closing the top of the clamp the entrance of corrosion-forming substance, such :as air, water and other foreign matter is appreciably diminished.

The modication shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing contains all the advantages above described, but shows a slightly modied form of constructing the terminal clamp 6 by closing the upper end `of the clamp 6 with an integral top I3. The numeral I 4 designates an integral socket suitably formed on th-e clamp, which socket is ladapted to receive one end of the cable I0.

In the .preferred form of construction I make use of a screw I5 which is threaded through a boss IB on the clamp 6, and is internally threaded as at I l, to receive the threaded screw I5. The screw I5 is provided with a pointed end IB which is `adapted t-o engage the battery post I to provide a tight contact between the terminal clamp 6 and the battery post. When the screw is partially buried in the lead post I the latter has a tendency to slightly expand thus forming a tight contact, and at the same time insuring perfect contact between the terminal clamp and the battery.

In the use the grooves or pockets 8 and 9 are lled with some corrosive resistant substance, after which the clamp is placed upon the battery post 'I, and held in `place by means of the clamping screw I5. The lubricant from the pockets forms around the battery post and at the top and bottom to prevent the accumulation of corrosion around the terminal and battery post.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have produced a very novel and unique terminal clamp for battery posts, and one which may be easily attached and detached, and one which will effectively prevent the accumulation of corrosion varound the connections. Moreover, because of its extreme simplicity, the device will be inexpensive to manufacture.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of .the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawing. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Since yexcellent results are obtainable from the details disclosed, they are preferably followed. However, within the scope of the claimed invention, numerous qualifications may of cou-rse be made.

What is claimed is:

Means for connecting an electric cable to a battery 4post comprising a ring for ttng over a post and a. at end part on the cable soldered to the upper end. of the ring for electrically connecting the lcable with .the ring and `closing the upper end of the ring to prevent entrance of moisture and to prevent the escape of material from the interior of the ring.

VERTUS ELFERT. 

